patients undergoing video assisted ablation of pilonidal sinus

patients undergoing conventional off-midline Bascom cleft lift procedure

A 5-phases' technique. The 1st phase is to insert the endoscope through the external opening (orifice). In the patients that had more than one opening the lower pit is used for access. The 2nd phase is to identify the sinus cavity and its lateral tracks. The endoscope is advanced along the pathway using slow movements, left/right and up/down. These manoeuvres and the saline solution, used as distension medium, allow the sinus cavity to accommodate the endoscope. Additionally mechanical adhesiolysis with the forceps grasping could be useful. The 3rd phase is to identify the presence of hair and its removal. The 4th phase phase is to obtain complete ablation of sinus cavity. The sinus cavity and its lateral tracks are destroyed with the electrode under continuous direct vision. The 5th phase is to obtain the accurate cleaning of sinus cavity. The saline solution flow allows the elimination of any necrotic material. A Volkmann spoon could be useful to complete the cleaning.

Wound infection was defined as redness and/or oedema of the skin and/or discharge.

recurrence was defined when symptoms of the disease recurred after an interval following complete wound healing.